Lighting Designer for 2026-2027 Season

Ovation Academy at Madison Street Theater; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ovation Academy at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park, IL is seeking a Resident Lighting Designer to shape lighting for youth-focused productions. You will design and operate lighting for a variety of events throughout the year and ensure a compelling visual storytelling.

Responsibilities include programming NOMAD, re-focusing existing lights, hanging specials, and operating during tech rehearsals. You will train guest designers and coordinate with directors and crew.

Qualifications

• Thorough familiarization with venue equipment, software and rep plot.
• Ability to design and operate lights for diverse events year-round.
• Willingness to train guest designers and technicians as needed.
• Attend production/design meetings and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Become familiar with venue equipment, software and rep plot.
• Design and operate lights for musical, plays, comedy and live music events.
• Train guest designers and technicians on venue systems.
• Attend production/design meetings (remote or in person).
• Collaborate with directors and artists to realize lighting design.
• Recommend maintenance and improvements to lighting systems.
• Keep booth and storage areas organized; manage cables and gels.
• Oversee spotlight operators and coordinate haze/fog, projections and LEDs.
• Restore the rep plot after events.

Skills

Punctuality

Reliability

Experience

Communication skills

Family-friendly

Tools

NOMAD programming software

Lighting equipment troubleshooting

Moving lights programming

Job description

Ovation Academy produces multiple musical each year, largely performed by youth. The venue is a 192-seat thrust stage with an existing rep plot that is adapted for each production. Designers are expected to re-focus existing lights, hang specials as needed, program cues, and operate the NOMAD programming software during tech rehearsals and performances. Must be able to program moving lights and undertake basic troubleshooting and maintenance (replace lamps, etc.)

Responsibilities include:

• Becoming familiar with and thoroughly knowledgeable of the venue’s equipment, software, and rep plot;
• Designing and operating lights for a variety of events throughout the year, including musical, plays, comedy, live music, and other performances as needed;
• Training guest designers and technicians on the venue’s systems as needed;
• Attending production/design meetings on a project by project basis (remotely or in person);
• Collaborating with directors, designers, and other artists as applicable to successfully design lighting;
• Making recommendations to administrative staff as to necessary maintenance, repairs, and potential improvements to existing lighting systems;
• Keeping the booth and equipment storage areas organized; filing gels and coiling cables as needed;
• Overseeing spotlight operators and coordinating haze/fog, projections, LED tape, practicals, and any other lighting elements deemed necessary to successfully execute the design; and
• Restoring the rep plot as needed upon the conclusion of events.

The ideal candidate is punctual, reliable, experienced, a great communicator, and comfortable working among children and families.

Lighting needs vary throughout the year. Resident Lighting Designer should have sufficient availability to design a significant portion of venue’s events, and a willingness to train others to fill in as needed.